Best Sociology Programs in Iowa for 2027

Iowa asks sociology majors to take theory and methods early. The BA is 36 semester hours: Introduction to Sociology and Sociological Theory come first, then Research Methods and one statistics course from an approved list. You add 21 hours of sociology electives, four of them advanced, and finish with a capstone course in sociology and criminology and a graduation portfolio. Two optional tracks let you focus on family and health services or on human relations and business, and you can pair the major with criminology, law, and justice by sharing up to 9 hours. Iowa awarded 27 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24.

Core Sequence

Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, Research Methods and a statistics course

Optional Tracks

Family and health services, or human relations and business

Capstone

SOC:4910 Capstone Course in Sociology and Criminology

Program Sources: Sociology, BA | University of Iowa General CatalogSociology, BA | University of Iowa General Catalog

Iowa State’s sociology majors choose a B.A. or a B.S., and the split shows up in what surrounds the major. Both include Statistics, but the B.S. adds at least 9 more credits in natural science, math or statistics, and the B.A. points your extra coursework toward different general education groups. The major itself is 34 credits: a one-credit orientation to sociology and criminal justice, Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Contemporary Sociological Theories, 6 credits at the 2000 level or above and 18 at the 3000 level or above. Iowa State awarded 18 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24.

Degree Choice

B.A. or B.S. in Sociology

Required Courses

Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods for the Social Sciences and Contemporary Sociological Theories

B.S. Science Credits

At least 9 additional credits in natural science, math or statistics

Program Sources: Sociology | Iowa State University CatalogSociology | Iowa State University Catalog

UNI’s sociology BA has a course most majors never see elsewhere: The Sociological Career (SOC 2000) sits next to Research Methods, Social Sciences Statistics and Ideas about Social Life in a 33-hour plan, with Introduction to Sociology or Social Problems to start. Eighteen hours of sociology electives follow, and no more than 6 of them can be 1000 or 2000 level. If you want a specialty, five certificates are on offer: Family and Life Course, Gender and Culture, Health and Development, Inequality and Inclusion, and Race/Ethnicity and Immigration. UNI awarded 13 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24.

Career Course

SOC 2000 The Sociological Career

Methods Courses

Research Methods and Social Sciences Statistics

Certificates

Five sociology certificates, including Health and Development

Program Sources: Sociology B.A. | University of Northern Iowa University CatalogSociology Major | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Wartburg’s Criminology/Sociology B.A. shares a six-course core: Statistical Methods, Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, Research Methods and Data Analysis, Qualitative Research Methods and Perspectives in Sociology. On top of that you choose one of two concentrations, Criminal Justice, with Criminology, Juvenile Justice and Crime and Deviance, or General Sociology, with four sociology-focused credits plus two from other departments. The department builds in field research, domestic and international travel and service learning, and Field Experience in Community Sociology is among the options. Wartburg awarded 11 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24.

Core Courses

Statistical Methods, Theory, Research Methods and Qualitative Research Methods

Concentrations

Criminal Justice or General Sociology

Field Experience

SO 481 Field Experience in Community Sociology

Program Sources: Criminology/Sociology, B.A. | Wartburg College CatalogCriminology/Sociology | Wartburg College

Iowa’s sociology PhD builds on a completed MA, which you either bring from another university or earn in Iowa’s own program with a thesis or research paper. Training centers on theory and methods, with specialized programs in social psychology, gender, and social and political organizations. Coursework includes Research Design and Methods, Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis, Linear Models in Sociological Research and a two-part Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity sequence. Then come a comprehensive exam, a dissertation prospectus and the dissertation, with teaching and research assistantships and faculty co-authorship along the way. Iowa awarded 5 sociology doctorates in 2023–24.

Methods Coursework

Research Design and Methods, Data Analysis and Linear Models

Milestones

MA thesis or research paper, comprehensive exam, dissertation prospectus, dissertation

Specialties

Social psychology, gender, and social and political organizations

Program Sources: Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology | Sociology and Criminology - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | The University of IowaDoctor of Philosophy in Sociology | Sociology and Criminology - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | The University of Iowa

Iowa State admits sociology PhD students with either a bachelor’s or a master’s, and the plan reaches at least 72 credits including any master’s credits. The core runs from Classical Sociological Theory and Contemporary Sociological Theory to Research Methodology, Regression, Applied Multivariate Statistics and Qualitative Research Methods, plus Race, Class and Gender Inequality and a one-credit orientation. You then sit written and oral preliminary exams and get a dissertation proposal accepted by a five-member committee. The department expects you to finish within five years with a master’s or seven without. Iowa State awarded 3 sociology doctorates in 2023–24.

Required Core

Theory, research methodology, regression, multivariate statistics and qualitative methods

Examinations

Written and oral preliminary examinations

Dissertation Committee

Five members of the graduate faculty, one from outside the major

Program Sources: Rural Sociology and Sociology Graduate Programs | Department of Sociology and Criminal JusticeSociology | Iowa State University Catalog

Southeastern Community College built its Sociology Transfer Major around the first two years you would need at a four-year school. The sequence includes Introduction to Sociology, Marriage and Family, Social Problems, Social Psychology, Statistics and American National Government, alongside composition, humanities and science. The college designs the degree to prepare you to transfer, and a downloadable summary sheet outlines the program. Classes run on the West Burlington Campus. SCC awarded 4 sociology associate degrees in 2023–24.

Sociology Courses

Introduction to Sociology, Marriage and Family, and Social Problems

Supporting Courses

Social Psychology, Statistics and American National Government

Campus

West Burlington

Program Sources: Sociology Transfer Major AASociology Transfer Major AA

Indian Hills Community College offers its sociology A.A. at the Ottumwa and Centerville campuses, and the program page lays out six terms, or 18 months, with entry in any term. The coursework invites you to look at societies through different cultures and communities and to consider how past events affected survivors and how current events may change society. Transfer is the point: the college has articulation agreements and transfer plans with many four-year schools, and an academic advisor helps you check which credits carry over. Indian Hills awarded 2 sociology associate degrees in 2023–24.

Campuses

Ottumwa and Centerville

Program Length

Six terms or 18 months, with entry in any term

Transfer Support

Articulation agreements and transfer plans with many four-year colleges

Program Sources: Indian Hills Community College | SociologyIndian Hills Community College | Sociology

Eastern Iowa Community College District’s Sociology AA is part of Iowa’s statewide Transfer Major program, which community colleges, public universities and many private colleges developed together, and the partner schools have approved the EICC courses. The 62-credit plan starts with Sociology, Statistics, Social Psychology and Marriage and Family, then adds general education and electives. Named transfer partners include Iowa State, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, St. Ambrose and Upper Iowa, each with a 2.0 GPA requirement. EICC awarded 1 sociology associate degree in 2023–24.

Core Courses

Sociology, Statistics, Social Psychology, and Marriage and Family

Total Credits

62 credits

Transfer Partners

Iowa State, University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, St. Ambrose and Upper Iowa

Program Sources: Sociology | EICCSociology | EICC

Des Moines Area Community College built this Associate of Arts as a transfer major for Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Iowa, Clarke, St. Ambrose or Upper Iowa. Over four semesters you take Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Marriage & Family and Social Psychology, with a statistics course in the first term, American National Government and a laboratory science rounding out the schedule. You need a 2.0 grade point average and a C or better in a course that meets the diversity requirement. Three students finished this degree in 2023–24. Confirm your target university’s course list before choosing electives.

Transfer Partners

Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Clarke University, St. Ambrose University and Upper Iowa University

Sociology Courses

Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Marriage & Family and Social Psychology, plus a statistics course

Graduation Standard

2.0 grade point average and a diversity requirement course completed with a C or better

Program Sources: Sociology: Transfer Major AA - Des Moines Area Community CollegeSociology: Transfer Major | DMACC